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Delhi Airport all set to get the country’s first-ever air train for easy travel between terminals

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If all goes according to plan, by the end of 2027, travelling between Terminal 3 (T3) and Terminal 1 (T1) at Delhi Airport will be significantly easier. Thanks to an upcoming air train or the Automated People Mover (APM).

If reports are to go by, to put this plan into action, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has issued a tender for building this much-anticipated project, which will include four stops: T2/3, T1, Aerocity, and Cargo City. This project will be covering a 7.7 km route, and will eliminate the need for reliance on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses for terminal transfers.


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To provide more clarity on this matter, sources also said that GMR-backed DIAL will start accepting bids for the project in October-November 2024. The winning bid will need to have all elements like cost-effectiveness, with bidders proposing revenue-sharing models or seeking viability gap funding. And after things get finalised covering all the aspects, the contract will be awarded before the end of the fiscal year. Sources are hopeful that the construction will likely be completed by the end of 2027, as the said timeline has also been communicated to the Union Aviation Ministry, to ensure that the project stays on track.

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For such bidding the development of an advanced state-of-the-art APM system has been summarised. It will use the design, build, finance, operate and transfer (DBFOT) model when the flight becomes operational. It will guarantee hassle-free travel and reliable connectivity between T1 and T3/2, which will definitely improve the overall passenger comfort and efficiency of the airport.Not only this, this will also significantly contribute to reducing the carbon footprint, thereby helping Delhi Airport improve its Airport Service Quality (ASQ) score.

In previous discussions, the government emphasised that no development fees would be levied on passengers to fund the project before its completion. While the exact cost of the air train is yet to be determined by the bidders, estimates suggest it could be around ₹2,000 crore. Initially, DIAL had proposed six stops for the air train. However, the government requested a reduction to four stops to minimise transit time between T1 and T3/2, as more stops would increase both travel time and the need for security at non-terminal stations.

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Delhi Airport currently handles over 70 million passengers annually, which will likely increase to more than 130 million over the next 6-8 years. A significant percentage of these passengers are expected to be transit flyers, which will make the air train essential for smooth terminal transfers. As per the global standards, air trains are usually free for passengers, and it’s likely that Delhi will also follow suit, wherein costs will be recovered through aeronautical charges and User Development Fees (UDF), as seen in other airports like Mumbai.





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UP students to get Rs 6000 yearly travel allowance if school is over 5 km away

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In a significant step towards improving access to education, the Uttar Pradesh government has introduced a new scheme to provide an annual travel allowance of rs 6000 to students who live at least five kilometres away from their schools.

This initiative aims to help students from six districts of Bundelkhand and remote Sonbhadra reach their government secondary schools without facing travel hardship.

Under the scheme, students from Jhansi, Chitrakoot, Jalaun, Hamirpur, Mahoba, Banda and Sonbhadra will be eligible for a 6000 annual travel allowance.

The benefit will be given to students of classes 9 to 12 who live five kilometres or more from the nearest government secondary school.

The scheme is being rolled out in the current academic session and is expected to give immediate relief to thousands of students struggling with long commutes.

FUNDS TO BE SENT THROUGH DIRECT TRANSFER

The annual assistance will be credited directly into the students’ bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). According to the plan, the first instalment of the allowance could be released as early as 5 September.

Girl students from 146 government schools chosen under the Pradhan Mantri School Vikas Yojana (PM Shri) will also benefit from this new travel allowance scheme.

This inclusion ensures broader support for female students, especially those in rural and underserved areas.

SIMPLE APPLICATION AND VERIFICATION PROCESS

To receive the benefit, students must fill out a declaration form (pro forma) stating that there is no government secondary school within a five-kilometre radius of their home.

This form will then be verified by the Gram Pradhan (village head) at the village level and by the school principal.

In urban areas, local councillors will be responsible for verifying the declarations. Once approved, the eligible students will start receiving the allowance.

A key condition of the scheme is regular school attendance. Students must also show at least a 10 percent increase in their attendance to continue receiving the allowance. This measure is designed to improve not only access but also student engagement and discipline.

THOUSANDS TO BENEFIT

The scheme is expected to benefit around 24,000 students across Bundelkhand and Sonbhadra. In addition, approximately 4,000 girl students from PM Shri schools will also receive travel support.

This scheme highlights the government’s focus on removing barriers to education and improving enrolment and attendance, especially in remote and underserved areas.

(With inputs from Ankit Mishra)

– Ends

Published By:

Princy Shukla

Published On:

Jul 11, 2025



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‘We Cannot Go To Pakistan But He Can’

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Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday took a fresh swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, mocking his frequent foreign visits and specifically highlighting his surprise stopover in Pakistan’s Lahore in 2015 to meet the then Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif.

“It seems that when the PM is flying in his plane, he looks down and asks, ‘Which country is that?’ When told it’s so-and-so, he says, ‘No worries, we will reach an hour late where we are going; let’s land here now.’ He decides to land just anywhere. That’s how he landed in Pakistan too,” Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said in Punjabi in the state assembly on Friday, as quoted by Hindustan Times.

“The PM decided, just like that, to visit Pakistan. He had biryani and came back. We cannot go to Pakistan, but he can land there!” Mann added.

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MEA Slams Punjab CM Over ‘Irresponsible’ Remarks

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday criticised CM Bhagwant Mann for his remarks on the foreign trips of PM Modi. While disassociating itself from the remarks, the MEA stated that the statement from the Punjab chief minister was “irresponsible” and “regrettable”.

Bhagwant Mann, while taking a jibe at PM Modi’s foreign visits, stated that the prime minister is visiting countries with populations less than even 10,000. PM Modi on Thursday returned to India after his five-nation visit to Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia.

“We have seen some comments made by a high state authority about India’s relations with friendly countries from the Global South. These remarks are irresponsible and regrettable and do not behove the state authority,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated.

“The Government of India disassociates itself from such unwarranted comments that undermine India’s ties with friendly countries,” he added.

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“Don’t I have the right to ask about the country’s foreign policy and what did he do there? Why does Adani’s business start wherever he (PM) goes? I will continue to ask in the future as well. With 140 crore people in the country, he should engage with them and address their concerns. He says he will stop the Ukraine war (Ukraine-Russia), but he can’t even resolve water issues between Punjab and Haryana,” Mann told reporters on MEA condemning his statements on PM Modi’s five-nation visit.



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12 adventure hotspots in India for the thrill-seeker’s bucket list |

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If you think adventure in India ends with trekking in Himachal or rafting in Rishikesh, buckle up. From diving with sharks to biking on snow deserts, India is a land of opportunities where you can actually put your stamina to test. Whether you’re into heights, depths, speed, or any other adventure, here are 12 adrenaline-pumping, thrill-chasing, Instagram-bragging hotspots across India.

Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

White-water rafting? Check. Bungee jumping off India’s highest fixed platform? Double check. Ziplining over the Ganges?All available here. In short, Rishikesh is where adventure junkies come to test their limits and leave with spiritual awakenings, and introspection about their strength.

Bir Billing, Himachal Pradesh

Ever wanted to fly although you never went to that pilot school? Bir Billing is your place. Known as India’s paragliding mecca, it’s where you run off a hill with a stranger strapped to your back and land 30 minutes later with your soul still soaring. The view? 10/10. The wind-in-your-face feeling? Addictive.

Andaman Islands

Scuba diving in Andamans is like falling into a screensaver, except the fish are real and the colours haven’t been photoshopped. Havelock Island, or Swaraj Dweep, offers vibrant coral reefs, shipwrecks, and if you’re lucky, a chance to high-five a sea turtle.

Manali–Leh Highway

This isn’t just a road trip, it’s a pilgrimage for motorcyclists. You get it all here, hairpin bends, snow-clad passes, cheeky yaks, and the ever-present possibility of getting lost. If your idea of fun includes altitude, dust, and jaw-dropping views at every turn, saddle up.

Dandeli, Karnataka

Hidden in the Western Ghats, Dandeli offers white-water rafting in the Kali River with Grade III rapids, kayaking, canyoning, and even jungle treks that come with a real chance of bumping into a wildlife. It’s wild, wet, and wonderfully off-the-radar.Read more: Untouched Kerala: 7 secret towns waiting to be explored

Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh

This place has moon-like landscapes, fossil-studded cliffs, and roads that seem to have trust issues with gravity. Mountain biking here is no joke, the air’s thin, the drop is real, and the selfies are unmatched. Add a monastery hop if your knees give out.

Meghalaya’s caving circuit

Fancy crawling through dark limestone caves with underground waterfalls and prehistoric vibes? Meghalaya’s got you. Caves like Siju, Liat Prah, and Mawsmai aren’t for the faint-hearted, they’re slippery, spooky, and spellbinding. You’ll love every bit of it.

Rann of Kutch, Gujarat

Forget beaches, try driving over a boundless white salt flat with nothing but mirages for company. During the Rann Utsav, this barren land turns into a cultural carnival, but for the rest of the year, it’s the perfect spot for ATV rides, or paramotoring.

Zanskar River, Ladakh

This is not a trek. This is a frozen-river mission where you walk on precarious ice sheets with temperatures dipping below –20°C, and your breath becoming a visible companion. It’s brutal. It’s beautiful.

Goa

Goa’s not all about beach bumming. Think jet-skiing, wakeboarding, kite surfing, and scuba diving with the occasional shipwreck. North Goa’s all about that fast life, while South Goa has quieter beaches. Pick what suits you the best.Read more: 6 uncontacted tribes in the world: These people will never allow entry in their homes

Auli, Uttarakhand

Want to ski but can’t fly to Switzerland on a whim? Auli’s your snowy saviour. With powdery slopes, ski lifts, and instructors who won’t laugh at your first fall, it’s India’s answer to alpine fun, minus the overpriced hot chocolate.

Bikaner, Rajasthan

Adventure in the desert? Oh yes. Welcome to Bikaner, where you can go dune bashing in 4x4s, zip around on quad bikes, or race camels like royalty on a sugar rush. It’s hot, hectic, but a lot of fun.





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